Family Mealtime Prayers

Adult Prayers

1. We Are Declared Right with God when We Believe in Christ

We thank you, Father, that you did not spare even your own Son but gave him up for us all as the sacrifice for our sins. Though he was innocent of sin, he sacrificed his life for us and freed us from the penalty of sin. Thank you for declaring us right with you through faith in Christ alone. Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and us to your service, through Jesus our Lord, amen (Romans 8:32; Romans 3:24-25).

2. God Is Our Refuge and Strength

Thank you, Lord, for being our refuge and strength, always ready to help us in times of trouble. We never need to fear if we put our hope in you. You are the source of all our joy. Thank you for pouring out your unfailing love on us each day. We give you glory and praise for all your gifts, including the food before us this day. Help us to eat and drink to your glory. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen (Psalm 46).

3. The World and Everything in It Belongs to God

We praise you, Father, for your greatness, power, and majesty. The world and everyone in it belong to you. Everything we have comes from you. We don’t live for ourselves, for you bought us with a high price. We live to bring you honor and glory in our lives and our bodies. We depend upon you for everything, even the meal we now enjoy. Thank you for being so good to us. In your name we pray, amen (Psalms 24:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Prayers for Children (Ages Five to Twelve)

Note to parents: Encourage your children to read the prayers if they are able to read. For children who are not yet reading, read a sentence or phrase and have them repeat it after you. During or after dinner, talk about the prayer as part of your family devotion.

1. Help Me to Always Pray

Dear God, you have given us many things to be thankful for, like our home, our food, and our family. We especially thank you for eternal life through Jesus. No matter how hard life gets, help us to always rejoice in you and talk with you about everything in prayer. Please bless this food in Jesus’s name, amen.

Dear God, thank you for loving us even when we disobey you. Please help our family to be nice to others even when they are mean to us. And especially help us to be nice to our family and those around this table. Please bless this food you have given to us. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

First Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT) says, “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

3. God Made Me Beautiful

Thank you, Lord, for making each of us beautiful. We are the works of your hands, and your works are wonderful. All that you do is good, and you never make mistakes. We thank you for making this food that we are about to eat. We pray in Jesus’s name, amen.

Psalm 139:13-15 (NIV) says,

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.? I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ?My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Prayers for Little Ones (Ages Four and Under)

1. You Made this Day

Dear God, I thank you for making this day just for me. I will be happy today because you love me. Thank you for my food. Please bless me today. Bless Mommy and Daddy, too. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen.

Psalm 188:24 (NLT) says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

2. I Will Obey

Thank you, Jesus, for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you that they love me and take care of me. Help me to obey them. That is the right thing to do. Please bless my family and bless my food, amen.

Ephesians 6:1 (ICB) says, “Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This is the right thing to do.”

3. You Give Me Food

Dear Jesus, I thank you for my food. I thank you for good things to eat and drink. Help me to grow strong and be healthy. Please give food to children who are hungry. Thank you, Jesus, amen.

Psalm 107:9 (NLT) says, “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

4. You Are with Me

Dear Father in heaven, I thank you that you are always with me no matter where I go. Please keep me safe when I play and when I rest. Thank you for food to eat and water to drink. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen.

Psalm 16:8 (NLT) says, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

Holiday Prayer

Labor Day

Work enthusiastically for the Lord.

Father, we thank you for health and strength and the opportunity to work. We pray for those who are not able to find work at this time. Please provide for them and meet their needs. Lord, help us to remember that in all our work, we must work to please you rather than only pleasing others. Help us to be honest and fair and to always do our best. Remind us, Lord, that whatever we do for you and your Kingdom has eternal value and a greater purpose. At work and at home, help us to live our lives so that others will see you in us. Please bless this food before us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Colossians 3:23NLT Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

A Prayer for Children

Help us, Lord, in all we do,

to do our very best for you.

May we please you every day,

in our work and in our play.

When we work or when we rest,

may each and every day be blessed.

For food to eat and clothes to wear,

we thank you, Lord, please hear our prayer.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Introduction

Have you ever been in a rut? They?re not very easy to escape, are they? One rut most of us are in is the rut of the mealtime prayer. We tend to say the same thing to God every time we ask the blessing at a meal with our family or friends. Maybe you pray, ?Bless this food to our bodies and us to your service, or God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food.? Whatever your prayer rut might be, this book has been written for you. The prayers in this book are meant to be used around the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table. They are based upon the Word of God, the Bible, and so they are full of variety to help you get out of your rut. They are also full of truth that is as nourishing as the food before you. As you sit down with your family each day, you can select one of the prayers offered in this book. After you have finished eating, read and discuss the Scripture passages associated with the prayer. Reflect on the truth of God?s Word and apply it to your family?s particular situation. We pray that God would use these mealtime prayers not only to renew your prayer life and equip you to pray with confidence but also to reach your children with the gospel of Jesus Christ, instill Christian truths and godly character within their hearts, and draw your entire family into a closer walk with the Lord and with one another.